Roosevelt School Students: Future of Union City and the Nation

On Thursday, May 29, 2008, the Union City Board of Education continued its admirable comprehensive educational formation with a presentation for hundreds of 5th-8th grade students from the Roosevelt School.

This venue was part of a continual process whereby various elements from throughout the Union City Schools community have received training. Previous venues that I have been privileged to conduct included the security professionals, school crossing guards, district administrators and students.

As the featured speaker for this event, made possible through the leadership of Principal Joseph Polinik and Guidance Counselor Connie Agostini, I delivered a presentation titled Social Networking for Students: Online Communities, Cell Phones, Instant Messaging. After delivering the presentation to two large assemblies of students and teachers, I was invited to visit various classrooms to discuss this issue and the importance of character as the foundation for a student’s life. The students were encouraged to realize that their good example is critical to their friends, families, school, community and even the nation since they are the future of America.

As with my recent presentation to over 500 students of the Edison School in Union City, New Jersey, today’s event focused on the following:

Social networking technology:

• Instant Messaging, email, voice connection and web cams
  
• Online Community websites, such as MySpace and Facebook
  
• Media sharing websites, such as YouTube, Picasa and Flickr
  
• Cell Phones for voice, text, picture and video sharing

Some of the highlights of the event included:

• Focusing on what it means to be a student which includes personal responsibility, reaching one’s full potential and achieving greatness by making sacrifices. Students discussed the importance of encouraging one another and avoiding negativity and criticism.
  
• Honestly confronting problems at home and school.
  
• The importance of working together and being involved with the community including family and friends, church, community organizations and school.
  
• Developing personal leadership especially through the quality of character.
  
• The use of a Secret Power: "You have the power to change the world by helping each other do what is right."

We then explored the dangers of inappropriate content, including:

• Misinformation
  
• Pictures / Videos
  
• Language / Sexting
  
• Gangs / Criminal Activity
  
• Bullies / Cyberbullying
  
• Predators

All students were encouraged to get involved, making "Character: The Heart of the Matter," as inspired by Rachel Scott's Challenge:

• ELIMINATE PREJUDICE
  by looking for the Best in Others
  
• DARE TO DREAM
  Set Goals—Keep a Journal
  
• CHOOSE YOUR INFLUENCES
  Input Determines Output
  
• KIND WORDS
  Small Acts of Kindness = Huge Impact
  
• START A CHAIN REACTION
  With Family & Friends

The Roosevelt School deserves commendation for its dedication to their students with experiences such as this venue that encourages character as the framework for properly using modern technology and for all of the decisions they make in their lives.

Vincent Bove on Character (0:11) Rachel's Challenge (4:01)

<a HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVw7upcufEI">Play the clip on YouTube</A>

READ MORE

Rachel's Challenge	Click here to visit site
Character Education Partnership	Click here to visit site
Sacred Honor: Police Officer, Soldier, Patriot	Click here to visit site

Social Networking Technology Concerns: Empowering Educators, Parents, Students

On Monday, May 19, 2008, the Mid-Hudson Teacher Center hosted an educational event at the Haviland Middle School in Hyde Park, New York to address social networking technology concerns for youth. Two separate sessions were scheduled to accommodate educators and parents during the evening.

As the featured speaker, I was privileged to present Social Networking Technology Concerns for Educators, Parents, Youth: Online Communities, Cell Phones, Instant Messaging.

Presentation Agenda

• Why Are We Here?
  • What Does It Mean To Be An Educator/Parent/Student?
  • Do You Have Self-Esteem?
  • Is Your Life Stressful?
• Contemporary Concerns
  • Crisis of Leadership
  • Culture of Violence
  • Shattered Communities
  • Filling the Void
• Social Networking Technology
  • What Is it?
  • Is It All OK?
  • What Is An Online Predator?
  • What Is Cyber-Bullying?
• Call To Action
  • Leadership ◊ Vigilance ◊ Collaboration
  • The Altruism Factor^TM
  • Community
  • Character
• In Remembrance: American Military Tribute
• Conclusion

Technology, especially through the internet and online social networking sites, has changed the way Americans communicate. The educators, parents and students who attended this venue are to be commended for their dedication to enhancing their understanding of contemporary concerns expressed through the click of a mouse.

READ MORE

Mid-Hudson Teacher Center	Click here to visit site
Internet Safety Blogs	Click here to visit site
MySpace and Internet Security Concerns for Educators and Law Enforcement	Click here to visit site

Edison School Students: Future of Union City and the Nation

On Wednesday, March 19, 2008, I had the pleasure of addressing over 500 students from Thomas A. Edison School in Union City, New Jersey. The event was made possible through the leadership of Principal Alexandria Conti and Assistant Principal Tim Crabbe. Students representing the fifth through eighth grade met in the gym for a presentation titled Social Networking Technology Concerns for Students: Online Communities, Cell Phones, Instant Messaging. After these presentations, I was invited to visit eighth grade classrooms to openly discuss why character is important and to encourage them to support, respect and appreciate themselves and one another.

Social networking technology includes:

• Instant Messaging, email, voice connection and web cams
  
• Online Community websites, such as MySpace and Facebook
  
• Media sharing websites, such as YouTube, Picasa and Flickr
  
• Cell Phones for voice, text, picture and video sharing

Some of the highlights of the event included:

• Focusing on what it means to be a student which includes personal responsibility, reaching one’s full potential and achieving greatness by making sacrifices. Students discussed the importance of encouraging one another and avoiding negativity and criticism.
  
• Honestly confronting problems at home and school.
  
• The importance of working together and being involved with the community including family and friends, church, community organizations and school.
  
• Developing personal leadership especially through the quality of character.
  
• The use of a Secret Power: "You have the power to change the world by helping each other do what is right."

We then explored the dangers of inappropriate content, including:

• Misinformation
  
• Pictures / Videos
  
• Language / Sexting
  
• Gangs / Criminal Activity
  
• Bullies / Cyberbullying
  
• Predators

All students were encouraged to get involved, making "Character: The Heart of the Matter," as inspired by Rachel Scott's Challenge:

• ELIMINATE PREJUDICE
  by looking for the Best in Others
  
• DARE TO DREAM
  Set Goals—Keep a Journal
  
• CHOOSE YOUR INFLUENCES
  Input Determines Output
  
• KIND WORDS
  Small Acts of Kindness = Huge Impact
  
• START A CHAIN REACTION
  With Family & Friends

As with all of my presentations, we concluded with a tribute honoring American Military Sacrifices.

Edison School is to be highly commended for this initiative that encourages students to reach their full potential, wisely using the tools of the computer age, helping one another, developing personal character and enhancing a sense of patriotism.

Rachel Joy Scott (3:32)

<a HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR8Eae9vQ4g">Play the clip on YouTube</A>

READ MORE

Rachel's Challenge	Click here to visit site
Character Education Partnership	Click here to visit site
Sacred Honor: Police Officer, Soldier, Patriot	Click here to visit site

MySpace and Internet Security Concerns for Educators and Law Enforcement

On October 18, 2007, through an educational initiative of Lt. Patrick Fay, President of the North Jersey Regional Crime Prevention Officers Association and Sheriff Leo P. McGuire of the Bergen County Sheriff's Department, I was privileged to conduct a presentation entitled "Myspace and Internet Security Concerns for Educators and Law Enforcement." The initiative took place for 125 educators and law enforcement professionals in the state of the art auditorium at the Bergen County Jail on River Road in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Millions of young people, as well as parents, educators and law enforcement personnel, use various websites for social networking, communication and research resources. Those entrusted with the care of our youth must also use it to understand the pulse of their schools and communities.

When used safely and wisely, the internet offers remarkable opportunities for learning, communication and self actualization through research and study. Positive activities include:

• Surfing the web
• Email, instant messaging, webcams, video conferencing and webinars
• Newsgroups, bulletin boards, blogs, vlogs, online communities, TV View on Demand
• Educational research
• Sharing photographs and video

The agenda covered:

Laying the Foundation

- Shattered Communities
- Crisis of Leadership
- Culture of Violence
- Filling the Void

Internet and Online-Community

- Overview
- Myspace
- Concerns

Parental Presence

- Warning Signs
- Communication

  ("An ounce of prevention")

American Military Personnel Tribute

- Remember, Reflect, Resolve

Many local organizations were represented:

• Hackensack Police Department
• Bergen County Sheriff's Department
• Hackensack Public Schools
• Lyndhurst Police Department
• Rockaway Township Police Department
• Glenridge Police Department
• Springfield Police Department
• Premier Security
• Hackensack Constable's Office
• Newark Police Department
• Roseland Police Department
• Clifton Police Department
• Lodi Police Department
• Lodi Public Schools
• Alpine Police Department
• Seaside Park Police Department
• Paramus Police Department
• Franklin Lakes Police Department
• Oakland Police Department
• Jersey City Police Department
• Nutley Police Department
• Garfield Police Department
• North Haledon Police Department
• Montclair Police Department
• North Bergen Police Department
• Caldwell Police Department

and participated through lively interaction and discussion.

READ MORE

Secaucus Reporter Article Myspace: friend or foe?	Click here to visit site
Internet Safety Blogs	Click here to visit site

Myspace and Internet Concerns for Youth: Secaucus Board of Education

Thanks to the leadership of the Secaucus Board of Education, an educational series coordinated by Principal Pat Cocucci of the Secaucus Middle School began on February 28th at the Arthur F. Couch Performing Arts Center in Secaucus, New Jersey.

The Secaucus Board of Education is a public school district that serves students in pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade from Secaucus in Hudson County, New Jersey. According to the Report Card Narrative of the New Jersey Department of Education, Constantino Scerbo wrote, "Our district is a small and culturally diverse community whose students come from all parts of the state, country and the world."

The agenda for this first venue on "Myspace and Internet Concerns for Youth" presented a broad view of the Internet phenomenon and its potential impact — both good and bad — on youth and families:

Laying the Foundation

- Shattered Communities
- Crisis of Leadership
- Culture of Violence
- Filling the Void

Internet and Online-Community

- Overview
- Myspace
- Concerns

Parental Presence

- Warning Signs
- Communication

  ("An ounce of prevention")

American Military Personnel Tribute

- Remember, Reflect, Resolve

Conclusion

- Next Meetings
- Renewed Character — You can make a difference!

The message incorporated the issue of myspace and internet security into a comprehensive understanding of contemporary American values, the opportunity to access information and to cultivate positive social interaction, and highlighted the call to vigilantly safeguard our youth from those who would use technology for more devious intentions.

The next presentations in the series will be "Character Education at School and Home" on March 8th and "Parenting Skills — Insights and Training" on April 12th.

READ MORE

Secaucus Reporter Article Myspace: friend or foe?	Click here to visit site
Secaucus Board of Education	Click here to visit site
Arthur F. Couch Performing Arts Center	Click here to visit site

Internet Safety: Tips for Protecting Youth

As an immense global network that comments computers via telephone or fiber networks to storehouses of electronic information, the Internet allows for technologically advanced communication like never in the history of civilization. A computer, modem, a telephone line and a service provider is all that is required for instantaneous information and communication throughout the world.

The benefits of the computer age are extraordinary with finger tip research capability and immediate communication with family, friends and business contacts. Unfortunately, these technological advances and benefits of telecommunication also have a downside which can leave youth vulnerable and exploited.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, these are signs that a child might be at risk on-line:

• The child spends large amounts of time on-line, especially at night
• Pornography is found on the child's computer
• The child receives phone calls from men you do not know or is making calls, sometimes long distance, to an unrecognizable number
• The child receives mail, gifts or packages from someone you do not know
• The child becomes withdrawn from the family
• The child is using an on-line account belonging to someone else

Complimenting the tips on Internet security from the FBI is 2SMRT 4U. This initiative is based on a collaboration of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children with the goal of protecting youth from on-line predators and cyberbullies. Some of the protective tips of this site include:

DON'T

• Post your cell number, address or the name of your school
• Post your friends names, ages, phone numbers, school names or addresses
• Add people as friends to your site unless you know them
• Communicate with people you do not know
• Give out your password to anyone other then your parent or guardian
• Meet in person anyone you first "met" on a social networking site (Such as myspace or hi5)
• Respond to harassing or rude comments posted on your profile
• Make or post plans on your site
• Post photo's with school names, locations, license plates or signs
• Post photo's with the name of your team or school activity
• Post sexually provocative photo's
• Respond to threatening or negative emails or IMS

DO

• Check the privacy settings of the social networking sites that you use
• Set privacy settings so that people can only be added as your friend if you approve them
• Set privacy settings so that people can only view your profile if you have approved them as a friend
• Remember that posting information about a friend can put them at risk
• Review your blog and profile and delete information that can put you at risk
• Delete any unwanted messages or friends that leave inappropriate comments

Together we must remain ever vigilant, keeping a watchful eye on the internet habits of the young people entrusted to our care. A little bit of awareness and caring goes a long way.

READ MORE

FBI: A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety	Click here to visit site
2 SMRT 4U	Click here to visit site
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children	Click here to visit site